Every Soldier a Hero

The inspiring story of the hero of the Merkaz Harav massacre.

On March 6, 2008 at 8:36 PM, 29-year-old Israeli Paratrooper Major David Shapira had just finished giving his two young children a bath and putting them to bed when he heard an explosion.

At first Shapira thought he was hearing firecrackers of children getting an early start on their Purim celebrations. But when Shapira opened his window and heard screaming accompanied by more explosions, he realized there had been a terror attack. He grabbed his gun and ran across the street to the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, where he had been a student for many years.

What followed were among the most dramatic moments of Shapira's life.

Shapira asked the policeman guarding the yeshiva's entrance if he knew where the terrorist was located. The policeman told Shapira what he knew, and advised him to put on the bulletproof vest in his police car before entering the yeshiva. But Shapira heard the constant firing from the terrorist's Kalashnikov and the young students screaming for help. There was no time for precautions -- every moment of delay could mean more murdered children.

Five minutes later Shapira had found and killed the terrorist in the yeshiva's library. Eight young students were murdered, filling their holy books with their own blood.

The selfless bravery of Shapira, as well as yeshiva student Rabbi Yitzchak Dadon, had saved the lives of hundreds of students who were at the yeshiva that night.

Afterwards, for personal reasons and on account of his humility, Shapira refused all requests for interviews. But this past Chanukah, as part of an annual festival saluting the contribution of Israeli soldiers, Shapira agreed to his very first interview to share his incredible story.

When interviewer Ilana Dayan from Israeli Army Radio asked Shapira if there was any connection between his heroism on that terrible night and the yarmulke on his head, Shapira nodded.

"It's clear," he explained, "that God is in control of everything. Everyone has a mission in the world. [Risking my life to kill the terrorist] was my mission from God at that moment."

After shooting the terrorist, Shapira continued inspecting the rest of the yeshiva in case there was another terrorist in hiding. Next to the library he came across a locked classroom with 15 students still barricaded inside. When Shapiro knocked on the door, the students were terrified to open the door.

In order to identify himself, Shapira recalls with emotion, "They asked me to recite the 'Shema' to prove that I was a Jew."

Interviewer: "So after they asked you, did you say Shema Yisrael?"

Shapira: "At every single moment, when I was running there and entering the yeshiva, these were the words that were running through my head: "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokaynu Hashem Echad..."

"I knew these might be my last moments alive. But I also knew that this was what I had to do."

"The words that follow the opening line of the Shema are 'And you will love God, your Lord, with all of your heart and with all of your soul.' There is a story told about Rabbi Akiva who asked what it means to 'love God with all of your soul.' When the Romans found out that Rabbi Akiva had been teaching Torah illegally, they decided to execute him, and as he lay dying, Rabbi Akiva told his students that at that moment he understood what it means "to love God with all of your soul."

Shapira continued: "And that night, as I ran into the yeshiva, I also understood what it means to love God with all your soul... I knew these might be my last moments alive. But I also knew that this was what I had to do."

Our Soldiers in Gaza

After 15 years in my homeland, my love for Israel still grows by the day. I love living here. I love being the mother of Israeli children. And I love knowing that if my ancestors, who prayed every day to return to Zion during the cruel centuries of exile, could see me today they would look at me with tears of wonder welling up in their eyes.

And I know that none of this would be possible if not for the self-sacrifice of Israel's soldiers. Soldiers like David Shapira.

When I was 18 years old in my sophomore year of college, my greatest worries were about my GPA and what country to select for my junior year abroad. At that same age, Israeli teenagers are setting aside several years to serve their country, not knowing if they will survive that service to celebrate their 20th birthday.

Over 22,000 of these young Israelis have lost their lives fighting so that you and I and every Jew in the world will always have the ability to fulfill the yearning of countless generations.

The headlines tell us "The Israeli Army is at war in Gaza." But we cannot let ourselves forget that an army is made up of soldiers. Soldiers who at the moment of truth have said, "I know this might be my last moment alive. But I know that this is what I have to do."

Every Israeli soldier is a brother, a father, a son.

And in my eyes, every Israeli soldier fighting today is, like David Shapira, a hero.

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Chana Jenny Weisberg is the author of One Baby Step at a Time: 7 Secrets of Jewish Motherhood (Urim) as well as the creator of the popular Jewish Mom Video Series that can be viewed on her website www.JewishMom.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 17

(17)
Anonymous,
October 5, 2010 4:16 AM

Isra'el's brave soldiers

I am glad to hear of people defending the Holy Land this way.

(16)
Ruth LOH,
January 26, 2009 4:17 PM

Peace

World peace for everyone :)

(15)
mqryse,
January 13, 2009 3:34 AM

a lot of wishes for our soldiers

we have to continue our prayrs every day and to read psalms to protect and to help them in their fight
maryse from france

(14)
Do Lern Hwei,
January 12, 2009 5:53 AM

Pray for Peace in Israel

I follow the news of the war in Gaza everyday. Hope and pray that a peaceful solution can be found. I have both Jewish and Muslim friends.

(13)
Anonymous,
January 9, 2009 11:22 AM

we're with you

thank for this article it was really inspiring
i'm from argentina, and from here we pray eveeryday for you, our heros, the soldiers, as well as politicians that dont give up, may hashem bless you all, shalom al israel }

(12)
Anonymous,
January 5, 2009 11:25 PM

I pray for You every morning and eve. G-d Bless you all.

G-d Bless each and everyone of you.
Eieen

(11)
jannie,
January 5, 2009 9:26 AM

Israel friends from Holland

Tonight we have a prayer meeting with some Israel friends.
We will pray for all the brave soldiers and their families.
May the G-d off Israel protect them all.

(10)
faith,
January 5, 2009 6:04 AM

i love israel tho im kenyan and i love reading aish articles they are interesting as well as inspiring. keep up the good job. peace on jerusalem

(9)
Frisco,
January 5, 2009 3:51 AM

We Support Israel

We love and support Israel and hope the IDF does a great job. Frisco. Westminster, Maryland USA

(8)
M. Hillson,
January 5, 2009 1:51 AM

Neighbors for 26 Years

We were neighbors with the Shapira family for 26 years (david has 9 brothers and sisters), and David's feeling of responsibility and mission did not surprise us - they all are such a fine family "in the eyes of G-d and man"!

(7)
hadassa,
January 4, 2009 7:06 PM

unbelieveable story!

once again jenny you have told an amazing story- one that we, here in chutz la'aretz have to remember to be thankful for.... all those soldiers are our family and they are protecting us with their lives on the line!!!

(6)
Joseph,
January 4, 2009 6:44 PM

Always So Proud

I am a Canadian and I am proud of our soldiers serving our nation in different parts of the world. However, I am also proud of the IDF who are standing against the enemies of my love, Israel. I pray for the soldiers and the Peace of Jerusalem. Every soldier is a David facing Goliath in defense of Israel.

(5)
Anonymous,
January 4, 2009 4:24 PM

Spiritual Heroism

Thank you for bringing to our thoughts the tremendous acts of self-sacrifice that David Shapira and so many of the brave soliders are displaying everyday. Let's not forget that we, too, each and every Jew, can help ensure the safety of these valiant men and women by saying extra psalms, learning the laws of proper speech, davening with extra intent, and all of the other precious mitzvahs in the Torah. If we want Hashem to protect them, let's each work to bring more hoiiness in the world and be spritual heroes. May Hashem protect all of the IDF soliders and all of the Israeli civillians in danger.

(4)
Debora,
January 4, 2009 12:06 PM

Thank You

Major David Shapira recognized his mission... G-d bless...

(3)
Chana Jenny Weisberg,
January 4, 2009 11:24 AM

Update on David Shapira

I just heard from David Shapira's wife that he and his battalion have entered the Gaza Strip. May he soon return home safe to his wife and three small children.

(2)
D. Fletcher,
January 4, 2009 7:25 AM

Thanks

Hashem will give each of us the courage to do His will at any given moment. Remember each member of The IDF is a brother, sister, son or daughter willing to die to defend Hashem's land and His people.

(1)
G. Berry,
January 4, 2009 3:06 AM

Thank you

It''s so easy to be caught up in the cynicism of daily life, and the fatigue of disappointments small and large. Thank you for this magnificent portrait of greatness. Sometimes we need to be reminded that there are special yet "ordinary" people who rise over the mundane and soar - and that God has entrusted in each one of us that potential to be extraordinary.